Re: leave it in the locker room

[Karen Mayer <Karen_Mayer -dot- TOUCH_TECHNOLOGY -at- NOTES -dot- COMPUSERVE -dot- COM>]

  Due to an unexpected response to this issue, I must jump in and give my
  opinion. I thought it a personal issue between the individuals who were
  offended and those whose behavior the former found offensive, but Stacey
  has insisted on bringing it before us all.

  The recent tendency to take compliments and blow them out of proportion
  serves to undermine the justice we seek in dealing with REAL cases of
  harrassment. As a victim of harassment on two different jobs, I can tell
  the difference between someone calling me bright and acknowledging me as
  a female and someone trying to touch me inappropriately or making
  suggestive and rude comments. If we don't draw a _reasonable_ line for
  appropriate behavior, people will be afraid to even say hello or speak to
  each other anymore. Let's get real, folks! I would never consider a
  compliment such as "bright lassie" to be anything but a kind gesture from
  a nice colleague. The rest of the post in question was professional in
  nature.
  This victim mentality is crippling to us all. I feel the best way to deal
  with supposed harrassment is to ask for clarification. If we are not
  communicating effectively, perhaps feelings can be hurt and people can be
  offended. If something someone says bothers us, we can bring it to their
  attention and ask for clarification, rather than scream about imagined
  injustices.

  My two pennies, for all they're worth.

  -- km